Saturday, February 25, 2012

Farewell and good luck

Beginnings are scary, middles are stressful, and endings are sad. 

Throughout this course I have learned that gal pals lying on the bed, feet in the air talking on the phone for three hours over nothing is not truly communication.  In order to have good communication individuals have to listen to each other, understand the emotions that are behind the words, and work through misunderstandings that can occur.  I have been armed with skills that will help me to develop relationships with parents even though we may not see eye to eye on things.  I have also learned that team work and collaboration is not just a group of people who are grouped together.  Collaboration and team work involves trust, commitment to the goals, and working through everyone’s personal agendas in order to work as a strong committed team.

At the beginning of this journey we discussed how we would support each other through the tough times and the good times.   I feel that we have done just that, we have all given words of encouragement while we shared parts of our lives that are sensitive and personal.  Though we have never met face to face we have developed a trust during this time.  We have gone through the trust stage of group development (Learning Center, 2011).  It is now time to say farewell.  I don’t believe in good byes but “see you later”.   I wish everyone a safe and exciting journey as we head into the next stage of our journey.  I would feel honored to have anyone of you as a colleague. 

Resources
Learning Center. (2011). How to build a team using vision, commitment, and trust. Retrieved from http://www.learningcenter.net/library/building.shtml

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2 comments:

  1. Tonetta Bogard- MarionFebruary 25, 2012 at 8:18 PM

    Leslie it has been a pleasure being in this course with you and our other classmates. I have learn so much about communication and collaboration. I have enjoyed reading your discussion and blogs. It has been a great help to me. Good luck to you as you continue your journey.

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  2. EmilyFebruary 25, 2012 at 9:48 PM

    Leslie,

    I have truely enjoyed reading your blog and I agree that we as a group have built trust with each other and have supported one another throughout the course. All of this without ever meeting face to face. Best luck to you as well.

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Personal Childhood Web

Mom-My mother
Influence: showed me a love of learning that has lasted a life time. She would have “Tea Parties” with me but insisted on real food not pretend. She would read to us each night and tuck us in. She showed her love and affection by being there and showing me how to make it on my own. Her impact on my life is ongoing. She is still guiding me to be a better and stronger person.

Dad: My birth father
Influence: taught me that continuing your education may be tough but is always worth the effort. He would take me on camping trips each summer and road trips to historical places. He always called me “sis”. His influence takes me to historical sites. I have an appetite for history.

Don: My step-dad (Dad)
Influence: taught me that hard work was important in life. He taught me how to drive my first stick shift. He moved me back and forth to college many times without question. He considered me his own and became my father when mine abandoned me. He still checks in on me and makes sure my head is on straight.

Grandma D: Paternal Grandmother
Influence: she taught me how to be a “proper” young lady. I remember how I should behave to this day. She showed me how to make ordinary everyday things into magical paths to the imaginary world. A refrigerator box could be a house, doctor’s office, fort, or a cave below hundreds of feet. She showed me how to cook and sew so I could be a good wife. Though she is not with me now I still can look at a plain item and imagine where it could lead me.

Grandma Z: Maternal Grandmother
Influence: taught me that women could be fierce and independent. She loved flowers and taught me a love of them as well.